ABOUT > THE TEAM

President & CEO | 1996

Amy Atkinson

Amy Atkinson is a seasoned marketing professional with 35 years of experience in leading innovative marketing strategies and driving business growth. Her extensive background in marketing strategy, campaign management, and team leadership makes her an invaluable asset to RCP and our clients. She earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising from Michigan State University. ​
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Amy is known for her strategic vision and her ability to turn complex business challenges into successful, results-driven marketing campaigns. Her expertise spans a broad range of areas including integrated marketing communications, lead generation, and customer relationship management. Amy’s proficiency in crafting compelling marketing messages and her keen understanding of the ever-evolving digital landscape ensure our clients achieve their business objectives efficiently and effectively. ​
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Amy’s commitment to continuous improvement and her collaborative approach have significantly contributed to our team’s success. She excels in building strong client relationships and delivering tailored marketing solutions that drive measurable results. Her leadership fosters an environment of creativity and innovation, ensuring our agency remains at the cutting edge of marketing trends and technologies. ​
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Outside the office, Amy is an avid traveler and enjoys exploring new cultures and cuisines. Her adventurous spirit and passion for discovery inspire her to bring fresh perspectives and creative ideas to her work, benefiting both our team and our clients. ​

Senior Account Manager | 2001

Jon Baarda

Jon Baarda brings a wealth of experience and strategic vision to Acorn Marketing as a Senior Account Manager. With a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Albion College and over 30 years of experience, Jon has honed his expertise in various facets of marketing and business growth over his extensive career.

Jon’s proficiency in marketing strategy and customer relationship management has made him an integral part of our client services team. His areas of expertise include media strategy, direct marketing, brand development, and integrated marketing solutions. Jon is adept at crafting campaigns to help his clients reach their target audiences with consistent and effective messaging to drive growth.

At Acorn Marketing, Jon is valued for his collaborative spirit and results-driven approach. He excels in developing and executing comprehensive marketing campaigns that enhance brand visibility and promote customer engagement. Jon’s ability to build strong client relationships and his dedication to delivering exceptional value have consistently resulted in successful outcomes for our clients.
Jon’s leadership style is characterized by his dedication to excellent service, attention to detail, and strong communication skills. He encourages teamwork, creativity, and innovation, ensuring our team remains at the forefront of industry trends and marketing best practices.

In his personal time, Jon is passionate about mentoring young professionals and contributing to community development projects. He enjoys outdoor activities and spending quality time with his friends and family. Jon’s commitment to personal and professional growth, coupled with his dynamic marketing approach, continues to drive the success of Acorn Marketing and our clients’ businesses.

Senior Account Manager | 2016

Austin Pierce

With nearly a decade on the team, Austin Pierce has honed his expertise in integrated marketing strategies. As a Senior Account Manager, he acts as a trusted consultant to a diverse portfolio of clients, ranging from multi-location B2C businesses to large B2B manufacturing companies. His deep understanding of traditional and digital media allows him to help clients identify high-value customer groups and craft effective media and marketing plans that drive traffic and foster business growth.

Austin’s role encompasses team leadership, strategic consulting and project management, making him an invaluable partner to Acorn and his clients. Austin is known for his commitment to excellent client service. He collaborates closely with clients to ensure their marketing initiatives align with their business goals and generate a strong return on investment.

A proud graduate of Western Michigan University, Austin holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in Advertising and Promotions. When he’s not working, Austin enjoys the outdoors through golf, fishing, and hunting. He loves spending time with friends and family and is an avid sports fan. He plays on a men’s hockey team and is always up for attending a sporting event.

Account Coordinator | 2023

Josie Hoffman

Josie is a versatile marketing specialist with a diverse background in Talent Attraction and Real Estate, bringing a unique blend of strategic insight and creative flair to every project. Equipped with a BBA in Marketing from Grand Valley State University, Josie excels in campaign planning, digital marketing, brainstorming innovative solutions, and crafting compelling copy that resonates with audiences.

Josie uses her strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with clients and direct team members to coordinate strategic campaigns and achieve agreed-upon goals. Her ability to merge creativity with results-driven strategy makes her an invaluable asset in steering successful marketing initiatives. 

Outside of the office, Josie is an adventurer at heart – whether she’s enjoying beach days with friends, heading up north for quality family time, diving into a good book, or discovering the latest must-try restaurants in Grand Rapids, she’s always exploring new ways to make the most of life. With a passion for work and play, Josie is committed to delivering excellence while enjoying the journey. 

Account Coordinator | 2024

Aubrey Pretzel

Aubrey is a dynamic marketing professional with a BBA in Marketing and General Management from Grand Valley State University. Skilled in healthcare, project management, and social media content creation, she blends strategic thinking with creativity to deliver impactful marketing solutions.

She leads cross-function team members to coordinate campaigns on time and within budget. Aubrey thrives in fast-paced environments and excels at managing multiple campaigns simultaneously without compromising quality. Whether developing digital campaigns or optimizing workflows, Aubrey is driven by a passion for connecting brands with their audiences meaningfully.

Outside work, Aubrey embraces her creative side through fishing, upcycling clothing, and searching for the perfect iced miel latte with oat milk at local coffee spots. She’s also a proud cat mom to Mina, her trusty feline companion. With a commitment to innovation and continuous growth, Aubrey is always looking for new ways to push the boundaries of marketing.

Web & Interactive Developer | 2002

Wally David

Wally is a proud West Michigan native, with over 20 years of diverse experience with our company. He is a true master of web design and development, specializing in UX, UI, interactivity, and creating standards-based websites that deliver seamless user experiences. He also manages our clients’ server hosting platforms—because someone’s got to keep the tech side running smoothly. 

Wally’s career spans across multiple industries, from offset printing and screen-printing to digital media and IT, blending that wealth of experience into every project he tackles. He’s a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator with multiple associate degrees in Graphic Design, Visual Communications, and IT—an impressive combination that sets him apart in the tech and creative worlds. 

Beyond the world of pixels and code, Wally is an optimistic adventurer—an avid sailboater, musician, craft beer enthusiast, and gamer. A true rebel at heart, Wally constantly challenges conventional thinking, reimagining the creative process and pushing boundaries to create innovative, fresh approaches to everything he does. 

Design Director | 1998

Nicole Oquist

Nicole has been a driving force with our creative team since 1998, bringing an unmatched blend of creativity, vision, and technical expertise to every project. With a remarkable portfolio spanning print, digital, web, video, and signage, Nicole specializes in developing dynamic logos, brand identities, and marketing campaigns that make an impact across industries—from food service and healthcare to retail, education, music festivals, and entertainment. 

Her innovative design concepts don’t just stand out—they’ve earned national recognition, with multiple awards for design excellence. A proud West Michigan native and a graduate of Ferris State University with a degree in Visual Communication, Nicole’s keen attention to detail and ability to transform creative ideas into compelling visuals consistently elevate brands. Whether she’s building a brand from the ground up or revamping an existing identity, Nicole’s work is a testament to her passion, precision, and creativity. 

Senior Designer | 1991

Julie Franczek

Julie Franczek is a seasoned graphic designer with over three decades of experience at Acorn Marketing, formerly RCP Marketing. Since joining the agency right out of college, she has been the creative backbone, leading numerous campaigns from concept to completion. Her expertise and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the agency’s creative direction.

Julie earned her Bachelors of Arts degree in Graphic Design from Michigan State University. She majored in Graphic Design with areas of emphasis in Advertising and Photography. She remains an active MSU alumna, serving on the board of the Muskegon Alumni Chapter and is the co-chair of the annual golf outing committee. 

Beyond her professional endeavors, Julie is a member of the Spring Lake Yacht Club, and Lakeshore Pickleball Club, reflecting her commitment to community engagement. 

When she’s not hard at work creating amazing designs, you can find her on the pickleball courts, enjoying time with friends or walking her dog. She also channels her creativity into designing unique belt buckles which she sells on Etsy.

Designer | 2013

Jessica McClure

Jessica is a catalyst within the Acorn design team, with a remarkable ability to turn abstract ideas into compelling visuals. Her expertise spans website design, graphics, signage, branding, and digital advertising materials across multiple platforms. Whether crafting sleek, user-friendly websites or eye-catching branding, Jessica’s sharp eye for design and detail consistently elevates every project she touches.

A proud Ferris State University graduate, Jessica holds a B.S. in Graphic Design with a minor in Art History, blending technical skills with a deep appreciation for art and history. While in college she spent time in Greece and Italy studying art.

When she’s not creating, you’ll find her in the great outdoors—whether in the woods or on the water. An avid sports enthusiast, coffee lover, and full-throttle go-getter, Jessica’s most cherished moments are spent with her family and enjoying playful, silly times with her boys.

Accounting & Office Manager | 1998

Julie Anderson

Julie Anderson is the Accounting and Office Manager at Acorn Marketing.  She is the powerhouse who keeps our QuickBooks in perfect order. With over two decades of experience, Julie is the unsung hero managing the essential behind-the-scenes details that ensure our day-to-day operations run smoothly.

Since 1998, Julie has honed her expertise in financial management, keeping everything on track, on budget, and operating at peak efficiency. Her meticulous attention to detail, combined with her ability to juggle multiple tasks, makes her the backbone of our operations. Whether it’s handling the books or managing workflows, Julie does it all with precision and a smile.

In her free time, you can find Julie unwinding with her family and two cats, or crushing it at the gym.

Fractional CFO | 2024

George Atkinson

George is a visionary organization and marketing leader with a proven track record of driving customer-centric strategies, optimizing sales performance, and significantly enhancing operational effectiveness. With a prime focus on strategic direction and impactful leadership, he has consistently delivered innovative solutions that propel business growth and elevate brand presence in competitive markets.

As a marketing leader with over 40 years in the business, George was a pioneer in horticulture industry. Renowned for his expertise in leveraging market research to create distinctive product differentiation and branding strategies. His approach to branding fosters emotional connections with consumers, ensuring brand loyalty and long-term success. As a highly accomplished marketing executive, he excels in business-to-business and direct-to-consumer integrated marketing campaigns, employing a full-spectrum approach to drive engagement, brand awareness, and market share.

For Acorn Marketing, George serves in the CFO role providing oversight on financial and sales forecasting and new business development; and manages the company’s insurance, employee benefits and payroll programs. In his free time, George enjoys spending time tending to the beautiful landscape at the home he shares with his wife, Amy. Together they love to travel and spend time with their three kids, and their families.